DigiMAX LT Eight-Channel Mic-Preamplifier with adatTM Lightpipe Output USER'S MANUAL 1.0 -20 -10 CLIP -20 -10 CLIP -20 -10 CLIP -20 -10 CLIP -20 -10 CLIP -20 -10 CLIP -20 -10 CLIP -20 -10 CLIP PAD 30 30 PAD 30 PAD 30 PAD 30 PAD 30 PAD 30 PAD 30 PAD SAMPLE RATE EXT CLOCK POWER +48V 0 +48V 0 +48V 0 +48V 0 +48V 0 +48V 0 +48V 0 +48V 32k 44.1k 48k GAIN dB 60 GAIN dB 60 GAIN dB 60 GAIN dB 60 GAIN dB 60 GAIN dB 60 GAIN dB 60 0 GAIN dB 60 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 115/230 VAC ~ (by internal jumpers) 20WATTS CREATED, DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED IN THE USA POWER IN WORD CLOCK CHANNEL 8 OUT CHANNEL 7 CHANNEL 6 CHANNEL 5 CHANNEL 4 CHANNEL 3 CHANNEL 2 CHANNEL 1 7 5 3 1 CHANNEL INSERT POINTS adatTM optical interface DIGITAL AUDIO OUTPUT 8 6 4 2 MICROPHONE - XLR LINE INPUT - TRS MICROPHONE - XLR LINE INPUT - TRS MICROPHONE - XLR LINE INPUT - TRS MICROPHONE - XLR LINE INPUT - TRS MICROPHONE - XLR LINE INPUT - TRS MICROPHONE - XLR LINE INPUT - TRS MICROPHONE - XLR LINE INPUT - TRS MICROPHONE - XLR LINE INPUT - TRS Copyright © 2002, PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 1.1 1.2 2 2.1 2.2 3 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 4 4 Overview.................................................................................. 1 Introduction ............................................................................... 1 Features .................................................................................... 2 Controls & Connections ............................................................ 3 Front Panel................................................................................. 3 Back Panel ................................................................................. 5 Operations ............................................................................... 6 Dynamic Microphones .................................................................. 6 Phantom Powered Mics ................................................................ 6 Line Level Inputs......................................................................... 6 Application Guide ........................................................................ 6 Technicial Specifications .........................................................10 PreSonus Limited Warranties ................................................. 12 i OVERVIEW 1 1.1 INTRODUCTION Thank you for purchasing the PreSonus DigiMAX LT Eight-Channel Mic-Preamplifier with adatTM Lightpipe Output. This preamp was designed using state of the art components to deliver crystal clear audio for an indefinite period of time. We believe the DigiMAX LT to be an exceptional sounding unit and an exceptional value. Please contact us at 1-800-750-0323 with your questions or comments regarding this product. PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc. is committed to constant product improvement and believes the best way to accomplish this task is by listening to the experts on our gear, our valued customers. We appreciate the support you have shown us through the purchase of this product. Please pay close attention to how you connect your DigiMAX LT to your system. Improper grounding is the most common cause of noise problems found in studio or live sound systems. We urge you to scan this manual before hooking up your DigiMAX LT to familiarize yourself with its features and applications. Good luck and enjoy your DigiMAX LT! 1 1 OVERVIEW 1.2 FEATURES Dual Servo Mic Preamps Each channel of your DigiMAX LT provides ultra low noise and wide gain control allowing the user to boost a desirable signal without increasing unwanted background noise. 48V Phantom Power Each channel of the DigiMAX LT has 48V of phantom power available. When the phantom power switch is engaged, power is supplied at a constant rate. This assures optimum performance of your condenser microphone(s) and that it will be free of distortion associated with insufficient power. This switch is located on the front panel next to each gain knob. -20dB Pad A -20dB pad is available on each channel of the DigiMAX LT for reducing incoming signal levels. Using this pad can provide a more manageable signal from high output devices giving the operator greater control over the incoming signal and a much reduced chance of over-driving the input, thereby avoiding distortion. NeutrikTM Combo Connectors Each channel of the DigiMAX LT has a mic/line connector using the NeutrikTM combo connector. This revolutionary style connector lets you use either 1/4" or XLR connectors in the same input. Sample Rate Selector The DigiMAX LT has a switch on the front panel that lets the operator choose the sample rate. It provides selectable rates of 32k, 44.1k and 48k. Ext Clock When the External clock switch is engaged the DigiMAX LT goes into `chase' mode and automatically recognizes which of the three sampling rates is required for optimum synchronization. Digital Optical Output The DigiMAX LT has an adatTM (lightpipe) output that can be used with any commercially available digital optical cable. This cable can supply eight simultaneous outputs. 2 CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS 2 2.1 FRONT PANEL -20 -10 CLIP -20 -10 CLIP -20 -10 CLIP -20 -10 CLIP -20 -10 CLIP -20 -10 CLIP -20 -10 CLIP -20 -10 CLIP PAD 30 30 PAD 30 PAD 30 PAD 30 PAD 30 PAD 30 PAD 30 PAD SAMPLE RATE EXT CLOCK POWER +48V 0 +48V 0 +48V 0 +48V 0 +48V 0 +48V 0 +48V 0 +48V 32k 44.1k 48k GAIN dB 60 GAIN dB 60 GAIN dB 60 GAIN dB 60 GAIN dB 60 GAIN dB 60 GAIN dB 60 0 GAIN dB 60 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Notice that the front panel is divided into eight preamplifier sections, sample rate selector with indicators and external clock switch. +48V A switch labeled +48V is located next to each gain knob. This switch may be engaged to provide phantom power for condensor mics and any other device which may require phantom power by way of the XLR input. This power is supplied at a constant rate to allow use of all eight inputs simultaneously, without any degradation of audio quality. Pin 1 = GND, Pin 2 = +48V, Pin 3 = +48V 1 3 2 Gain Control This knob provides 44dB of gain to the processed signal. The amplifier has inherent gain of 10dB thus delivering a total gain possibility of 54dB. -20dB Pad A -20dB pad is available on each channel of the DigiMAX LT for reducing incoming signal levels. Using this pad can provide a more manageable signal from high output devices giving the operator greater control over the incoming signal and a much reduced chance of over-driving the input, thereby avoiding distortion. The pad is available only for the XLR input on each channel. The pad does not work for the line level inputs. Channel LEDs The three LEDs found on each channel are provided to serve different functions: -20dBu - The LED farthest to the left is labeled -20 and serves to monitor whether or not signal is present at the channel output. -10dBu - The LED in the middle is labeled -10 and indicates a signal level of -10dBU 3 CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS 2 Clip - The LED labeled CLIP indicates at a signal level of +22dB. Care should be taken to avoid using signal levels that cause this LED to become active. Signal levels that reach or exceed this amount of output will cause undesirable artifacts (distortion) in the channel output signal that is being indicated by this LED. The signal level is reduced by rotating the channel's control counter-clockwise. Sample Rate Selector The section at the extreme right of the front panel contains the sample rate selector switch with LED indicators provided for 32k, 44.1k and 48k. This section also contains a switch labeled EXT. CLOCK. When this switch is engaged the operating clock rate of 32k, 44.1, or 48k will be determined by the incoming signal from an external device through the word clock in input on the back panel of the DigiMAX LT. 4 CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS 2 2.2 BACK PANEL BASIC LAYOUT 115/230 VAC ~ (by internal jumpers) 20WATTS CREATED, DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED IN THE USA POWER IN WORD CLOCK CHANNEL 8 OUT 7 5 3 1 CHANNEL 7 CHANNEL 6 CHANNEL 5 CHANNEL 4 CHANNEL 3 CHANNEL 2 CHANNEL 1 CHANNEL INSERT POINTS adatTM optical interface DIGITAL AUDIO OUTPUT 8 6 4 2 MICROPHONE - XLR LINE INPUT - TRS MICROPHONE - XLR LINE INPUT - TRS MICROPHONE - XLR LINE INPUT - TRS MICROPHONE - XLR LINE INPUT - TRS MICROPHONE - XLR LINE INPUT - TRS MICROPHONE - XLR LINE INPUT - TRS MICROPHONE - XLR LINE INPUT - TRS MICROPHONE - XLR LINE INPUT - TRS Digital Optical Output An adatTM optical output (lightpipe) is provided on the rear panel of the DigiMAX LT. Eight simultaneous 24bit outputs are possible when using the optical out. Word Clock Out/In The word clock output and input are accessed through separate BNC connectors. The internal sample rate can be set to send 32k, 44.1k, or 48k. The word clock in scans the incoming information and automatically synchs to the necessary sample rate. Insert Each channel of the DigiMAX LT has an insert that sends and returns the signal from the associated channel. This insert can be very useful for dynamics processing (such as compressing, limiting, etc.) or for monitoring purposes by helping in overcoming the time discrepancy that may be encountered in some digital recording situations. For more detailed instructions on uses and wiring of the inserts please see the application guide at the end of the manual. This insert is wired as follows: Tip Sleeve Sleeve Ring Tip Ring TIP = Send RING = Return SLEEVE = GND 5 3 OPERATIONS 3.1 DYNAMIC MICROPHONES Dynamic microphones are characterized by lower output levels. Hence, more gain is needed to amplify a dynamic microphone to operating level. Occasionally it is necessary to add the -20dB pad to the microphone to avoid distortion (e.g. when recording percussion). Do not use phantom power when using dynamic microphones. 3.2 PHANTOM POWERED MICROPHONES Phantom powered microphones such as condenser and some ribbon microphones require external power to preamplify the microphone acoustic pickup. These microphones typically have much higher output than dynamic microphones. Hence the -20dB pad is almost always necessary when close micing to avoid clipping the amplifier. 3.3 LINE LEVEL INPUTS The 1/4" inputs on the DigiMAX LT are designed for use with line level or low impedance inputs not instrument level inputs. These inputs will work for line level devices such as keyboards, samplers, drum machines, CD players, etc. 3.4 APPLICATION GUIDE Outboard Dynamics Processing Example The DigiMAX LT has an insert on every channel that allows you to insert your own dynamics processor, such as a compressor, EQ, limiter, or etc. To do this, all you need is your dynamics processor and a TRS insert cable. This cable is Yshaped, has a single TRS 1/4" jack on one end and two 1/4" TS jacks on the other end. The single end will look like a stereo 1/4" connector jack. This end of the cable plugs into the insert jack on the back of the DigiMAX LT. The other ends of the cable plug into the input and output of the outboard unit. If the outboard unit does not work immediately, you may want to try swapping the jacks that are plugged into the input and output of the outboard unit. Insert Jacks As Analog Outputs Example 1 You may have noticed by now that the DigiMAX LT does not have a standard analog output. In the event that you want to have analog outputs as well as the lightpipe output, you can use the inserts as analog outputs. To do this, all you need is a 1/4" TS cable. Plug the cable in until you feel 6 OPERATIONS 3 it `click' once. The cable will appear to be `half plugged in'. Using the insert in this fashion will not break the signal chain and will allow the lightpipe output to function correctly. Insert Jack As Analog Outputs Example 2 In the event that you do not need the lightpipe output, you can use the inserts as analog outputs. To do this, all you need is a TRS insert cable. This cable is Y-shaped, has a single TRS 1/4" jack on one end and two 1/4" TS jacks on the other end. The single end will look like a stereo 1/4" connector. This end of the cable plugs into the insert jack above the input on the back of the DigiMAX LT. You would use the SEND end of the cable as the output cable. By using the insert as an analog output with an insert cable, you will not be able to pass a signal through to the adatTM (lightpipe) output. The reason for this is that a signal is sent to a piece of outboard gear from the insert jack and then returned to the insert after being processed. So, in other words you are breaking the signal chain by using the send and not the return. Using The DigiMAX LT As A Front End For Digital Recording Systems The DigiMAX LT is the perfect front end for a digital recording system. The preamps on the unit allow you to boost the signal going to your recorder without adding extra, unwanted, noise. All digital recorders requir ...